Detroit Film Theatre

Movies at the Metroparks: GODZILLA: THE JAPANESE ORIGINAL

August 1, 8 & 15 at 8:45 p.m.

The Detroit Film Theatre (DFT) will be closed this summer for renovation of the DIA auditorium’s air handling and lighting systems. When the DFT reopens on October 10, audiences will experience a more comfortable, quiet and energy-efficient environment to enjoy the many programs hosted in this historic venue.

While the auditorium is being upgraded, the DFT will present outdoor movies on August 1 and 2, August 8 and 9 and August 15 and 16 in three Huron-Clinton Metroparks that celebrate the anniversaries of two pioneering films: the original, uncut 1954 Japanese version of Godzilla and the Fab Four’s A Hard Day’s Night in a newly restored version.

Celebrating its 60th anniversary, Godzilla is the monster movie that ushered in an entirely new genre of movie entertainment—one that still is front and center in the minds of moviegoers, as evidenced by this summer’s hugely popular reimagining of the giant lizard’s legend. Directed by Ishiro Honda, the 1954 version of Godzilla was recently described as “Still the most awesome! Pop culture’s grandest symbol of nuclear apocalypse!” by Entertainment Weekly. This version contains scenes that were removed from American prints of the film during the 1950s, and were replaced by newly shot “inserts” featuring American actor Raymond Burr. This restored version, without Raymond Burr, and in Japanese with English subtitles, gives moviegoers the chance to see one of the most highly influential monster movies ever made in an outdoor setting large enough to do justice to the “king of the monsters.”

The programs will begin each night with a short reel by award-winning Michigan student filmmakers presented by the Michigan Student Film Festival, an annual competition organized by Detroit Area Film and Television (DAFT), the longest continually running festival of its kind in the US.

Movies will begin each night at 8:45 p.m. and admission will be included with paid park admission. Godzilla will screen on Friday, August 1 at Kensington Metropark in Milford; Friday, August 8 at Stony Creek Metropark in Shelby Township; and Friday, August 15 at Willow Metropark in New Boston. For park information, visit www.metroparks.com.